Overview
EN ISO 5077:2008 titled Textiles - Determination of dimensional change in washing and drying (ISO 5077:2007) is a European and international standard developed by CEN and ISO respectively. It specifies a standardized method to measure the dimensional changes in fabrics, garments, or other textile articles subjected to defined washing and drying procedures. This standard ensures consistency and reliability in evaluating textile behavior during laundering processes, which is critical for quality control, product development, and compliance in the textile industry.
Key Topics
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Scope and Purpose
EN ISO 5077:2008 details the procedure for assessing dimensional changes - shrinkage or extension - that occur after washing and drying textiles under predefined conditions. These tests are vital for understanding product durability and fit after care.
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Test Specimens and Preparation
Specimens or garments must be carefully measured and conditioned in a standard atmosphere before and after laundering. The standard refers to ISO 3759 for preparation, marking, and measuring, and ISO 139 for conditioning atmospheres.
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Washing and Drying Procedures
The standard uses specified domestic washing and drying methods from ISO 6330, ensuring that textile testing reflects real-world consumer use.
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Dimensional Measurement and Calculation
The dimensional change is calculated by comparing the fabric's size before and after treatment, expressed as a percentage indicating shrinkage (negative value) or extension (positive value). Results should be averaged across specimens and rounded to the nearest 0.5%.
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Reporting Requirements
Test reports must specify the standard reference, specimen details, washing and drying procedures used, and detailed dimensional change results for length and width directions or garment-specific measuring positions.
Applications
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Quality Control
Manufacturers use EN ISO 5077:2008 to monitor fabric and garment quality, ensuring minimal unwanted shrinkage or dimensional instability after consumer laundering.
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Product Development
Textile developers apply this standard to assess new fibers, weaves, finishes, and garment constructions to optimize dimensional stability.
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Consumer Safety and Satisfaction
Garments that adhere to dimensional change standards help prevent fit issues, maintaining consumer trust and satisfaction.
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Compliance and Certification
Compliance with this standardized test allows businesses to meet regulatory and voluntary certification requirements related to textile performance.
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Research and Testing Laboratories
Textile testing labs use EN ISO 5077 as part of their test suites to provide clients with reliable, standardized data on textile dimensional behavior.
Related Standards
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ISO 139: Textiles - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
Defines the environmental conditions for sample conditioning and testing to ensure consistent measurements.
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ISO 3759: Textiles - Preparation, marking and measuring of fabric specimens and garments in tests for determination of dimensional change
Outlines specimen preparation and measurement techniques critical for applying EN ISO 5077 accurately.
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ISO 6330: Textiles - Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing
Provides the specific washing and drying methods that EN ISO 5077 references to simulate typical laundering.
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EN 25077:1993
The predecessor of EN ISO 5077 which is now superseded, reflecting advances and revisions in testing methodologies.
Using EN ISO 5077:2008 guarantees reliable determination of dimensional changes in textiles after washing and drying-key for quality assurance and product performance in the global textile industry.
